Next Phase Newsletter

A newly established venture capital firm manages a fund dedicated specifically to life science investments. Though it could largely vary on a deal-by-deal basis, the firm’s initial size of investment is usually around $1M, with a significant portion dedicated to follow-on investments. Geographically, the firm is focused on companies headquartered in Japan and those that are looking to expand into the Japanese market.

The firm is most interested in biotech and digital health technologies. The firm is very interested in emerging therapeutic technologies such as cell and gene therapy, as well as platform technologies. With regards to digital health technologies, the firm is most interested in (i) IT solutions for people in terms of health management, disease prevention, diagnosis, therapy, disease management, and nursing care; (ii) healthcare industry in terms of drug discovery & development, medical information, distribution system by leveraging AI, big data, IoT, VR, etc. The firm is opportunistic in terms of stage, and will seek opportunities that are pre-clinical and beyond.

The firm is actively seeking opportunities in Japan and those that are looking to expand into Japan. The firm will prefer to lead investments in companies headquartered in Japan where they can best leverage their resources and network, but will generally follow larger syndicates for deals outside of Japan.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com.

Founded in 2017, this investment firm’s biggest investment in a single company is $5M thus far, but the size of investment could vary. The firm looks for companies located around the globe, with a preference in Europe. The firm is actively seeking new investment opportunities.

The firm looks to invest 70% in Therapeutics, 20% in Medical Devices, and 10% Digital Health/Others. In Therapeutic areas, the firm might invest half in early-stage and another half in later-stage. The firm is opportunistic in indications and willing to consider orphan indications. The firm seeks technologies that could fill unmet medical needs.

The firm has no specific requirements on companies. The firm currently acts as lead investors for two companies, and has represented in five boards. The firm might take a board seat depends on applicable cases.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com.

By Joey Wong, Investor Research Analyst, Hong Kong BD, LSN

Digital RESI June invited active investors from different investment groups to share their thoughts on various topics related to investing and partnering with early-stage companies in the life science and healthcare industry. The newest panel, Beyond Big Pharma, featured five investors from different middle-market pharma companies. With the eye-watering down payments and the strong resources provided, large pharma companies are widely considered the holy grail for co-development and exit options for early-stage therapeutics companies. However, more absent from the public eye are the clinical-stage, middle-market pharmaceutical companies, which also present unique opportunities for startups to advance or bring their products to the market.

During the discussion, the panelists addressed the benefits of partnering with middle-market pharmas and how it differs from large pharmas. The first thing to consider is that while there are only a handful of large pharmas, there are many mid-size, revenue-generating pharmas out there looking for partnerships. Being open to mid-size pharma means to have a lot more options and opportunities. Additionally, mid-sized pharmas boast flexibility due to their smaller size, which makes many willing to tweak programs and leverage their own knowledge or technologies to make the product successful.

Independent of company size, the current economic downturn and the potential effect on deal-making is having an impact that reverberates across the entire industry. Most panelists agreed that market capitalization has been decreasing and valuation will be depressed. It is going to be more difficult for startups to raise money and large, up-front payment will be less. Some panelists noted that this means more opportunities for them, as they can now consider companies or pipelines that otherwise will be too expensive. This also allows them to be more creative in the deal structures. Some mid-pharmas can now partner with startups on their lead programs, that otherwise will not be available because of their valuation.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the investment ecosystem, angel investors shared a similar view on the current market downturn, but with a different takeaway. In the Angel Investors panel, similar to the mid-pharma investors, the panelists also agreed on the outlook, and therefore, investors are going to be more cautious, and companies will need to be more creative with fundings and open to some of the relatively unconventional options, like impact investors, family offices and micro-VCs, etc. However, some panelists believe this re-adjustment of the market is necessary, as valuations in life science and healthcare have been driven up over the past few years. Some even speculated that the economic downturn could discourage venture tourists who turned to the life science and healthcare space because of hype.

Angels and many recent funds still have the dry powder to invest, especially given they syndicate on deals often. Good companies with strong scientific foundations and solid products will still be funded, and they should see this as an opportunity for them to stand out. Panelists suggested that companies be more practical. Instead of “selling dreams,” they should be raising for an exit, focusing more on product development, revenue and exit strategy, which are things that investors look for when being more cautious with their investments.

Want to learn more? Watch these panels by clicking the buttons below. Additionally, RESI returns September 21-23 to Boston, MA. Sign up by July 29 to save $300 on registration and join the conversation with hundreds of life science investors and early-stage founders.

By Erika Wu, Business Development Manager, Global Tech Hubs, LSN

Fundraising is a numbers game for early-stage life science starts, and a challenge for regional tech hubs is to put the odds in the favor of their constituents. To increase the odds, it’s essential to bring fundraising from regional to global. Regional tech hubs, such as accelerators and incubators, are powerful tools to do this.

It’s important to identify all the potential investors who are a fit for a startup’s size, cost, industry sector, and term of investment. The type of funds ranges from grants to equity investments, but a strong relationship with investors will immensely benefit the fundraising journey. Tech hubs can connect founders with local capital through services and events, but the goal should always be a global target list full of those who are a fit for product and stage of development all over the world.

Tech hubs are often the first steps for many startups to get their feet wet. They can offer tools and strategies for founders to learn how to start this process and the opportunities necessary to take their story on the road. Tech hubs are often known and respected beyond their own regional impact, so connections with these groups can prove to be powerful alliances.

Life Science Nation (LSN) recognizes the voice these tech hubs have within the global early-stage marketplace. This is why we feature special offers specifically designed for the needs and experiences of their earliest stage constituents. These offers include tools meant to build on the benefits of tech hub membership, including discounted registrations and sponsorship at RESI, the LSN Investor Database, and participation in entrepreneurial immersion courses to support growing their company from a regional to global level.

Learn more about how your regional tech hub can partner with LSN and which opportunities may best fit the earliest stage life science entrepreneurs in your region. Also, sign up for a free webinar July 20 on how RESI supports startups taking their fundraising from regional to global.

By Antoinette Lowre, Manager of Business Development, LSN

Gathering investor targets can be a daunting task for early-stage entrepreneurs. Have you been stuck on a list of investors since the beginning of the year with little to no traction or interaction? It’s time to grow that list. As a leader in connecting early-stage life science startups with capital and licensing deals, Life Science Nation (LSN) offers tools, strategies, and opportunities to make real, actionable traction on a global target list that is a fit for your product and stage of development.

LSN is currently running a bundle offer for the Investor Database that saves over $3,000 and includes a registration to attend the RESI Boston partnering conference September 21-23 and a slot to pitch at the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge. With the LSN Investor Database, you can filter through 2,000+ investor profiles based on their preferred investment sectors, sub-sectors, indication preference, and phase of development interests. These filters help generate a list of leads aligned with your company.

The information provided within our database is not pulled from a bot system, or even taken from their website. The differentiating factor is a dedicated research team focused on creating relationships with investors. The investor research team will find the appropriate point of contact at each investor company and interview them to find out, on a more in-depth level, exactly what they are looking to invest in and add to their portfolio. In addition to a detailed investment mandate, you will also have access to the correct point of contact’s contact information and a list of necessary initial materials, providing entrepreneurs an enviable advantage that saves both time and money.

Subscription access also includes an onboarding session to review database functionality and best practices for your outreach campaign. We will strategize what your messages should look like, what kind of information each message should include, and outreach frequency. We will also help you set your Global Target List and tier them out based on the best fit. Contact your business development representative to learn more. We’re happy to provide a database demo. Let’s grow that list of investors and get your fundraising campaign the second wind it needs to round out the year.

Want to learn more? The Business Development team at Life Science Nation is available to answer questions and share additional details to help you meet your partnership goals!
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Greg Mannix Vice President International Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me	Candice He VP, Business Development & Global Investment Strategist Book a Meeting Email Me	Antoinette Lowre Manager of Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me	Alexander Vassallo Manager of Business Development, Entrepreneurial Education Lead Book a Meeting Email Me